Six Nations: Forwards snubbed for Player of the Championship award with four-man shortlist unveiled
The Six Nations have revealed the four-man shortlist for the 2025 Six Nations Player of the Championship award and how the nominees were decided.
No forwards have made the cut with representatives from France, England, Italy and Scotland making the shortlist.
They are French winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, English utility back Tommy Freeman, Italian centre and reigning award winner Tommaso Menoncello and Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn.
Player of the Championship Nominees
The winner of the coveted award will be decided by a fan vote on the official Six Nations website with the nominees based on fan votes and performance statistics from the 2025 Team of The Championship.
Speedster Bielle-Biarrey starred for France en route to the title as he finished as the Championship’s top try-scorer with an impressive eight tries – the most by any player during the Six Nations era, overtaking Ireland’s Jacob Stockdale and his seven tries in 2018. In addition to his eight tries, he also racked up four assists for a try involvements haul of 12.
He faces competition for the accolade from England’s Tommy Freeman who was the only other player to cross for a try in each of his team’s five matches in the tournament.
He starred on the wing for the opening four games for England before shifting to the centres in the demolition of Wales on Super Saturday.
🗳️ Six Nations: Cast your vote for the Planet Rugby Readers’ Team of the Tournament
Italy star Menoncello was crowned the Player of the Championship last year and could follow Antoine Dupont in winning the award in back-to-back tournaments with the Frenchman doing so in 2022 and 2023.
Ireland legend Brian O’Driscoll is the only other player to achieve this feat (2006 and 2007). The Azzurri powerhouse was in destructive form on both sides of the ball scoring twice during the Championship and led the way with 59 tackles and three breakdown steals – more than any other back.
🧠 Quiz: Name every Six Nations Player of the Championship winner since 2004
Finally, Scotland’s Blair Kinghorn enjoyed a stunning tournament and was a standout performer, topping various statistical charts.
He racked up 857.9 metres carried from 86 carries and completed 13 offloads. His 574.6 gained metres saw him surpass Mike Brown’s 2014 record of 543 metres—the most in a single Six Nations edition.
Fans have until Monday, March 24 to vote for their Guinness Men’s Six Nations Player of the Championship with the official Team of The Championship being announced on Thursday, March 20.
